A king’s ransom

Sometime in December 2012 six management staff of the South Korean construction and engineering firm, Hyundai Heavy Industries, were kidnapped somewhere in the creeks of Bayelsa State.

The ink was barely dry on the reports when news emerged a few days later that they had been released. Since there was no account of security forces heroics, it is no surprise to now read that the company had coughed out a tidy N30 million to secure the release of their staff.

Now, the Bayelsa State Police Command is furious that Hyundai paid the ransom ‘without their consent’. I am a bit confused as to the reason for their anger. Are they mad because the payment was done without their involvement, or they are opposed in principle to all such payments?

In virtually all cases of kidnapping in recent times, hefty sums have exchanged hands. These sorts of exchanges are nothing new. In the past many Niger Delta governors paid off militants to secure peace in their domains. It has also emerged that Boko Haram elements had been paid protection money in the past by some wise northern governors.

Insecurity – whether caused by kidnappers or terrorists – will not cease when you can make N30 million for a few days work. Only in Nigeria can you achieve such a return!